Can you buy over the counter erection pills online?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a sensitive topic, and many men prefer to seek a private service for treatment and advice. If you’re looking for effective treatments without the added stress of face-to-face consultations, you’ll be pleased to know that you can buy erectile dysfunction pills online.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of purchasing over-the-counter erection pills online and your available options so that you can get your confidence back—without the embarrassment.

Key points

• Some erection pills can be bought over the counter, but only from licensed pharmacies.
• When buying OTC erection pills online, medicines are supplied after a quick health check to make sure they’re safe for you.
• Common OTC options include sildenafil 50mg and tadalafil 10mg.
• Avoid unlicensed websites that may sell counterfeit ED medicines.
• Prescription-only options are also available online via a discreet consultation if OTC treatments don’t work for you.

Can you purchase pills for erection over the counter?

Yes, in the UK, men over the age of 18 can legally purchase certain erectile dysfunction pills over the counter (meaning you don’t need to have a prescription from a doctor) (1). This can be done in person at your local pharmacy or online through a registered internet pharmacy.

It’s important to note that you cannot simply buy them from any website. Over-the-counter ED tablets can only legally be supplied by licensed pharmacies, and only after completing a short health questionnaire. Unregulated sellers offering “ED pills without checks” should be avoided. These sites often sell counterfeit medicines that can be unsafe and ineffective.

You may also come across herbal or vitamin products marketed as “natural solutions” to erectile dysfunction in supermarkets or health shops. These are not licensed medicines and lack scientific testing. They’re unlikely to provide the results you’re hoping for.

What ED treatments are available without a prescription?

Some erectile dysfunction medicines are only available on prescription, but the following are legally sold over the counter and available to purchase online without talking to a doctor.

Sildenafil 50mg

Sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, is one of the most commonly used ED medicines. It helps relax smooth muscle in the penis and increases blood flow during arousal to help you get stronger erections (2).

Sildenafil is available without a prescription in a 50mg dose from UK pharmacies (sometimes sold under brand names like Viagra Connect and Eropid) (3). Prescription-only versions come in a wider range of doses: 25mg, 50mg, 100mg.

Tadalafil 10mg

Tadalafil is another medicine that belongs to the PDE5 inhibitors. Like sildenafil, it improves erections by increasing blood flow to the penis (4). The difference is that tadalafil stays active in the body longer, with effects lasting up to 36 hours.

Tadalafil tablets are available on prescription in various doses (2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg) (5-6). The 10mg dose is also available over the counter in the UK under the name Cialis Together (7).

Eroxon gel

Although it’s not an erection pill, Eroxon gel is another OTC treatment for erectile dysfunction that is worth mentioning. The drug is new to the market, launching in the UK in 2023, and is available from licensed pharmacies without a prescription (8).

This topical gel is rubbed on the head of the penis to stimulate nerve endings and give an erection. It acts quickly, causing erections within 5 to 10 minutes of application (9).

How to safely buy erection pills online

Buying ED medication online is straightforward when you choose a reputable, registered pharmacy. Here’s how to do it in a few simple steps:

1. Check that the internet pharmacy is registered

Before buying any medicine online, you’ll want to check that the pharmacy is licensed by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This information is usually available on the pharmacy’s page, but you can verify the information on the GPhC register (10).

2. Choose your erectile dysfunction medication

Decide between sildenafil, tadalafil, or other licensed OTC options. Although Oxford Online Pharmacy offers all these erectile dysfunction treatments, not all online pharmacies do. Make sure your chosen pharmacy has the type of medication you’re looking for.

3. Complete a health questionnaire

Even for OTC erection pills, you must speak to a pharmacist to confirm the treatment is safe for you. When buying ED treatment over the internet, this information is collected using a quick and simple online health questionnaire.

4. Receive your order the next day

Once approved, the pharmacy will prepare your medication and ship it to you in plain packaging, usually with next-day delivery. This is all done without having an uncomfortable face-to-face conversation with anyone you don’t want to.

Why choose Oxford Online Pharmacy?

When it comes to getting erectile dysfunction medicine online, many men trust Oxford Online Pharmacy. Here’s why:

• Quick, discreet, and hassle-free – Our health questionnaire is totally online; no awkward chats, just a few simple questions. Once approved, your treatment is on its way the next day.
• A trusted pharmacy with history – We are a fully licensed and registered GPhC pharmacy that has been around for nearly 100 years. You can count on us for safe, reliable medications.
• An expert team who really cares – Our team includes experienced pharmacists, independent doctors, and one of the UK’s leading ED specialists, Professor Geoffrey Hackett.
• Flexible ED treatment options – Alongside offering over-the-counter ED medicines, we also offer prescription-strength treatments, so you can find what works best for you.

When should you consider a prescription for ED pills?

Over-the-counter ED medicines can be convenient and effective, but they don’t always work for everyone. If they don’t give you the results you need, it might be time to consider a prescription.

Going down the prescription route doesn’t mean facing awkward conversations with your GP. At Oxford Online Pharmacy, you can access prescription-only ED medicines through a quick online consultation via our online doctor service from the comfort of your home.

References

1. Hackett G, Kirby M, Wylie K, Heald A, Ossei-Gerning N, Edwards D, et al. British Society for Sexual Medicine Guidelines on the Management of Erectile Dysfunction in Men—2017. The Journal of Sexual Medicine [Internet]. 2018 Apr;15(4):430–57.
2. Langtry HD, Markham A. Sildenafil: A Review Of Its Use In Erectile Dysfunction. Drugs [Internet]. 1999 Jun 1;57(6):967–89.
3. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. MHRA Reclassifies Viagra Connect Tablets To A Pharmacy Medicine [Internet]. GOV.UK. 2017.
4. Eardley I, Cartledge J. Tadalafil (Cialis) for men with erectile dysfunction. International Journal of Clinical Practice [Internet]. 2002 May 1;56(4):300–4.
5. Fahmy G, Hess J. Tadalafil [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
6. NHS. About Tadalafil [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022.
7. MHRA Reclassifies Cialis Together Tablets To A Pharmacy Medicine [Internet]. GOV.UK.
8. Eroxon® [Internet]. Eroxon. 2024 [Cited 2024 Oct 9].
9. Ralph DJ, Eardley I, Taubel J, Terrill P, Holland T. Efficacy and Safety of MED2005, a Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate Formulation, in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Randomized Crossover Study. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2018 Feb;15(2):167–75.
10. Registers | General Pharmaceutical Council [Internet]. Pharmacyregulation.org. 2018.